30. Ageing management of CANDU concrete containment buildings

Title: 30. Ageing management of CANDU concrete containment buildings
Author(s): K.E. Philipose, E. Frank
Paper category : conference
Book title: NUCPERF 2009 - Long Term Performance of Cementitious Barriers and Reinforced Concrete in Nuclear Power Plants and Waste Management
Editor(s): V. L'Hostis, R. Gens, C. Gallé
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-072-1
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-087-5
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2009
Pages: 275 - 285
Total Pages: 11
Nb references: 4
Language: English

Abstract: The containment system in a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) provides the final physical barrier against release of radioactive materials to the external environment. Even though there are different physical configurations to meet this fundamental safety function in various reactor types, a common feature is the use of a thick-walled concrete structure as part of the containment system commonly referred to as "Concrete Containment Building". In order for the concrete containment building to continue to provide the required safety function, it has to maintain its structural integrity. As well, its leak rates under test pressures must be maintained below acceptable limits.

As some of the containment buildings of the CANDU nuclear power plants are approaching their fourth decade of successful operation, questions regarding the impact of ageing on their ultimate useful service life emerge. Ageing Management has become the tool for addressing those questions.

In this paper, the ageing and ageing management of the CANDU concrete containments are discussed, including the specific programs being implemented to monitor and trend the ageing conditions. Specifically, the usefulness of the embedded strain gauges as a tool for the assessment of the condition of the containment concrete structure is discussed. Some of the operational and test data accumulated over the last 30 years have been evaluated and trended to provide some results and conclusions regarding the satisfactory long-term behaviour of the concrete containment buildings.

Online publication: 2009-11-16
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00